“Excellent. Let’s get you seated, and then we can leave.”
With an ease she’d forgotten he had, Andy scooped her off the bed and placed her in the chair. He was so close she could kiss his neck. His clean, spicy scent teased her senses, and warmth seeped into her veins.
In the two weeks she’d been in hospital, he hadn’t made any overt moves to pick up where they’d left off in Bali, not that it would be easy, considering her physical limitations, but she wouldn’t have minded a kiss or three.
Her parents had finally left the day before. Andy had arranged for Reed, one of his colleagues, to take them to the airport.
She was pleased her parents were more comfortable now. It helped that Andy had been a regular visitor to her room, and they’d all chatted up a storm. She knew his parents had died while he’d been in the Army, and he was an only child. She’d also had a couple of visits from his boss’s wife, Tabby, who always brought delicious baked treats with her. Tabby was friendly and had promised to tell her how she and her husband met. Not to mention, she’d gotten to know the rest of Andy’s team as they’d taken turns sitting with her if Andy couldn’t be there.
She didn’t know how he’d managed it, but Andy stayed in her room most nights, even after visiting hours were over. Whether it was because of all the extra security, or the people who’d been after her had given up, she hadn’t had any more attempts on her life. And she hadn’t had the feeling of beingwatched, even when she’d been sitting in the garden getting some vitamin D with Andy.
She startled as Andy brushed the back of his hand down her cheek. “You good?” he asked.
Narelle smiled up at him. “More than good.”
“You were deep in thought there. Are you having second thoughts about coming to my place? Because if you are, I’m sure Steve and Tabby would be happy to have you.”
She reached out and took his hand, holding it tightly. “No. No second thoughts. I was just thinking about the last couple weeks. What we shared with each other. Your friends who were here when you and my parents couldn’t be. How everything has been quiet.”
Blurting out every single thought she’d had in the last few minutes hadn’t been her plan, but she wanted Andy to know that she was okay with everything that was happening.
“Okay. Good, because if you were having some, I would’ve done whatever I could to persuade you that you needed to be with me, and not with anyone else.” Even though his spoke with a light tone, there was a hint of desperation lingering underneath, as if the very idea of not having her close was one he didn’t like.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what gourmet meals you’re going to tantalize me with,” she teased, as they headed out of her room and to the occupational therapist’s rooms attached to the hospital where she would have the cast on her arm swapped out to a lighter one. After that, they had to return so the doctor could officially discharge her.
“I hope you like steak, because I grill a mean one.”
“What would you say if I was vegetarian?” Which wasn’t true. He’d seen her eat the meat dishes that had been served to her at mealtime.
Andy laughed, the sound deep and gruff. “I’d say that you were messing with me.”
“True, but what’s life if you can’t tease every now and then?”
“Boring and monotonous,” he whispered.
Was that what his life was life before they’d met again?
Her life had been routine, but even before Bali, she didn’t do much more than go to work, come home, and eat by herself. She’d take a walk if she felt like it, but she hadn’t done that recently because of the sensation of being watched.
They’d arrived at the OT’s rooms, and she was ushered in immediately, something she was surewouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t still been an inpatient of the hospital.
Andy stood to the side, his pose looked relaxed, but she’d been around him enough to know that he was on alert, assessing everything to make sure no harm would come to her.
Seeing how protective he was, and always looking after her, she couldn’t believe that she’d thought he was involved in everything that happened to her. Looking back, she’d put it down to her being overly emotional after the attack, and the lingering effects of her surgery.
Tabby had had nothing but kind words to say about Andy and the rest of the guys at Power Security. The other woman had also promised that she would have Andy and her over, along with the others, for a dinner when she felt up to it. Narelle had protested, knowing Tabby ran a café/restaurant, and hadn’t wanted to burden her even more, but Tabby had assured her that it wouldn’t be an issue.
“The doctor said he’d like to see you again in ten days, where he’ll take another x-ray,” the therapist said, pulling her back to the present. She’d deliberately lost herself in her thoughts so she didn’t have to think about what was happening. It wasn’t as if itwas invasive, but after being poked and prodded so much over the last couple of weeks, she was over it.
“Great.” She moved her arm a little, the cast a lot lighter than her previous one. There was a pinch of pain, but nothing as bad as it had been.
“I still want you to keep your arm movements to a minimum and try not to put too much weight on it. I’m confident that we’ll have you in a support brace in no time, and you’ll be able to do a lot more. Your leg is going to take a little longer, but when you come back for your arm, I’ll look at seeing if we can get a lighter cast on your leg to ease up movement.”
“Okay, and when do you think I’ll be able to go back to work?” She wasn’t sure this doctor would have the answers, but she hoped it would be soon. She was right-handed, and it was her left arm that was broken. She could type one handed for a couple more weeks. Although, she wiggled her fingers and didn’t experience any pain, maybe she would be able to type with both hands.
“I’m thinking after your next appointment you should have the all-clear to go back.”
“Okay, thanks.” Narelle nodded, a bit disappointed that she couldn’t go back sooner, but she knew her limitations, and, as she still needed an afternoon nap, it wouldn’t do anyone any good tonot be almost one hundred percent when she went back to work. Her employer had been fabulous and assured her to take all the time she needed.
